“But what if this process produces no result? In other words, what happens if the process ends negatively? Would this negative outcome be the end for us Turkish Cypriots, or a beginning? Are these questions left ‘unanswered’ what drive us to despair?”
As betting shops in our country take bets today on whether parliament can convene, how many MPs will show up and how many will not, their claims are deepening the despair of the many institutions, organizations and citizens waiting for legislation to solve the country’s problems…
Meanwhile, it is being claimed that momentum will build in the already-pessimistic negotiation process, and news on the subject is even appearing under headlines such as “the waters are heating up.” These reports say that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will intervene in the process and that the give-and-take phase will begin as soon as possible. Although the issue is being discussed these days, Mete Tümerkan had drawn attention to what is being talked about today in his article dated April 16, writing: “In June, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will invite the leaders to a trilateral summit. The cards will thus be put on the table once again, and a critical period will begin.” Confirmation on the same subject came from Mr. Eroğlu. As will be recalled, our president made a statement the other day confirming these reports. Eroğlu said that “the UN Secretary-General had asked the parties to begin intensified negotiations and a give-and-take process after the meeting in June.”
But what if this process produces no result? In other words, what happens if the process ends negatively? Would this negative outcome be the end for us Turkish Cypriots, or a beginning? Are these questions left ‘unanswered’…[truncated] what drive us to despair? Is it the insistence that “the only solution is a settlement with the Greek Cypriots under a federal framework” that compounds our despair? But is there really anything that should make us despair?
At this point, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said the following in an interview he gave to TRT on July 19, 2009: “Whatever the circumstances, we are not in favor of maintaining the status quo in Cyprus. Everyone needs to understand that these negotiations are the last chance. Either this status quo changes through mutual negotiations and we jointly establish an area of peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, while also removing the obstacles to Turkey’s EU process. Or we will all have to consider alternative paths.”
So, if there is no solution, what are the alternative paths?
The matter I am writing about today is precisely this.
According to some sources, there are one or two alternatives… In other words, the alternative paths Mr. Davutoğlu spoke of have been considered. Indeed, both TRNC officials and Turkish Republic officials have given indications of this from time to time, saying that our Plan B is ready without discussing its substance. (For example, on July 28, 2010, TRNC Foreign Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün said: “Our ‘Plan B’ is ready if an agreement cannot be reached.”)
A great deal has been written and said about this subject so far. Who knows, perhaps Erdoğan’s latest “crazy project” could be Cyprus. So what is this crazy project? Call it Plan B, or C, D, E—whatever you like. But according to some sources, the crazy project in question is as follows, as I have noted above: Negotiations will continue, keeping the current policy and the desire for a solution constantly alive. If they end negatively, it will be shown that the negotiations have reached an impasse because of the Greek Cypriots. From this point, Ankara will take certain measures. The first concerns the military: the Security Forces Command will be strengthened. The personnel and resources of the Peace Forces Command will be transferred to the Security Forces Command, bringing the TRNC’s military forces to a deterrent level. The TRNC will change its name and become the “Turkish Cypriot State,” the name used in the Annan Plan and the one currently recognized by the OIC. Within this framework, efforts to promote it will continue with tremendous momentum.
If this is unsuccessful, the second part of the plan will be put into effect. Accordingly, Turkey, which constantly encounters obstacles in its negotiations with the EU, will come to a decision point and freeze its relations with the EU itself. After all these preparations, Turkey, where a presidential system is constantly on the agenda, will bring its preparations to the final stage and, to resolve both its own internal problems and the Cyprus issue once and for all, will pursue a federal path with the Turkish Cypriot State as two countries.
Call it crazy, impossible, or absurd if you like. This is the information I have obtained from the source I mentioned. At this point, my view is that the element of “despair” I emphasized at the beginning of my article is unnecessary. Of course, we will negotiate with the Greek Cypriots and seek solutions to the very end. But the absence of a solution is not the end. There are always different plans and ways forward. We have a magnificent country, and the only thing we need is to work harder to make it even more beautiful and livable. So do not despair…
Until we meet again, I hope…
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